News and Updates

#ChurchToo Movement’s Statement About The Planned Protest March To COZA Church On Sunday June 30 2019

PROTEST MARCH TO COZA CHURCH ON SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2019
ALLEGED RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF FEMALE COZA CHURCH MEMBERS BY PASTOR BIODUN FATOYINBO

Background:

We are a group of well-meaning, concerned Nigerians, under the umbrella of the #ChurchToo Movement,
advocating for and speaking against all forms of human rights violations, especially sexual abuse, that have become
prevalent in the church today. Our march today has been triggered by the recent allegation of rape leveled against
the lead Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo by Busola Dakolo, who was a
minor at the time of the said sexual abuse, and now wife of the popular musician – Timi Dakolo, as shown in her
recent interview with Y!TV, coupled with several other similar allegations.

Our Message:

The pattern and the repetitiveness of these allegations is worrisome, one that calls for urgent and immediate
action. We believe that leaders placed in positions of authority must be subject to a higher level of scrutiny and
accountability, while desisting from taking advantage of their positions of influence and power over their members,
which often cause unquantifiable and, sometimes, irredeemable damage to the victims.
We are concerned, also, that when the church authority refuses to take action following an allegation of such
magnitude as rape, which is a sin before God and a crime against the Laws of the land, it sends a message that the
church condones such acts and is shielding perpetrators of sexual violence. This must stop! The allegations of rape
and sexual misconduct leveled against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo must not be swept under the carpet without the
necessary actions of investigation and prosecution. The church should be a place where its members can find
succor, comfort, and protection; hence actions that produce the opposite must be condemned.

Our Demands:

In view of the above circumstance, we, therefore, demand that:

The Board and leadership of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) must commence investigation into
the allegation of rape leveled by Busola Dakolo and any other member of the church against its lead Pastor,
Biodun Fatoyinbo.

While the investigation is being carried out, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo must be asked to step down from any
leadership role in the church to avoid partiality.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and other relevant
Christian bodies must show leadership by condemning these crimes coming from the church, while ensuring
relevant actions are taken.

The continuous harassment and intimidation of Busola and Timi Dakolo, and other victims must stop forthwith.

Moving forward:

In the coming days, we will be marching to the relevant law enforcement, judicial, and law-making bodies to stress
the importance of ensuring that rape and other forms of sexual abuse will no longer be tolerated. We will not stop
until justice for sexual abuse victims is taken seriously and addressed in Nigeria.

Signed: for and on behalf of the #ChurchToo Movement
Bukky Shonibare
Jekein Lato-Unah
Olamide Apejoye